Hiring for machine learning roles surged 27 percent in April 2025 compared to the previous month, according to the latest Robert Walters Global Jobs Index, but the real story lies beneath the surface.
The sharp uptick is not just about new AI model development. Instead, the strongest demand is for the people who can make AI usable at scale, infrastructure specialists like data engineers, system architects, and backend developers.
“As AI moves from pilot projects to enterprise-wide deployment, we’re seeing greater demand for talent that can build and maintain the underlying data infrastructure,” said Toby Fowlston, CEO at Robert Walters. “That’s especially true for data engineers and technical specialists. It’s a fast-evolving space, and businesses are increasingly looking for people who can help them scale responsibly and effectively.”
This shift signals that AI is no longer confined to experimentation. It is becoming core to business operations, and the talent strategy is evolving with it. As companies race to embed AI across departments, the builders — not just the brainstormers — are emerging as the priority hires.
AI and data roles hold steady
The 27 percent month-on-month rise in machine learning postings stands out in a global context where professional vacancies fell by 11.6 percent in April. Despite broader economic caution, AI and data hiring remained resilient, particularly in sectors like Technology, Media and Telecoms (TMT), which accounted for 43.5 percent of all AI and data roles so far in 2025. Financial Services followed closely, with 37 percent of demand.
This resilience suggests that AI is not a trend companies are pausing during tough times, it is an investment they are protecting. Even as firms scale back in other areas, AI and data talent remain key to digital transformation and future productivity.
April’s data reflects a cautious global recruitment landscape shaped by economic uncertainty and policy changes. The United States recorded a 16.2 percent decline in professional job postings compared to March, following the implementation of new trade tariffs. In the United Kingdom, vacancies fell by 12 percent after changes to national insurance contributions and employment rights came into effect.
“In the US, changes to tariff policies have led to uncertainty for companies exposed to international trade, prompting a more cautious approach to headcount planning,” said Fowlston. “While in the UK, recent changes to National Insurance are making some employers reassess short-term cost structures.”
These conditions are pushing companies to be more selective in hiring, with a stronger focus on roles that drive productivity, short-term revenue or cost efficiency.
France defies the trend
While much of Europe posted subdued numbers, France recorded a 3.5 percent increase in professional vacancies in April. The growth was driven by a 13 percent rise in healthcare job ads, a 12 percent increase in TMT, and a 5 percent bump in Financial Services.
“The increase we’re seeing in France follows a slower start to the year, when many organisations paused external recruitment amid economic uncertainty and focused on internal mobility,” said Fowlston. “As conditions begin to stabilise, tech firms in particular are increasing hiring activity to support their digital growth and transformation.”
Professional services emerges as a bright spot
One of the standout sectors in April was Professional Services, which saw a 9.9 percent increase in global hiring. Growth was especially strong in India, where job postings jumped 36 percent, and Italy, which posted a 6.6 percent rise. The demand was driven largely by an uptick in consulting and legal services.
“Consulting and legal services are often early indicators of shifting business priorities,” said Fowlston. “These sectors tend to grow when companies are preparing for change, whether that’s digital transformation, new regulations or cross-border expansion.”
Financial services hiring reorients around core roles
Financial Services hiring fell by 8.5 percent globally in April, though some markets like France and Poland remained more stable. France posted a 5 percent increase in vacancies, while Poland declined only slightly at 2.7 percent.
According to Fowlston, “Hiring currently is less about headcount growth and more about reinforcing core operations. We’re still seeing a demand for roles in governance, risk and controls, key areas that help financial institutions stay ahead of regulatory requirements and navigate operational uncertainty.”
A market in motion
Overall, the April figures reveal a global hiring market that is not in freefall, but in transition. The headline figures show volatility: sharp swings in monthly vacancy rates but also pockets of strategic hiring, especially in high-impact areas like AI, infrastructure, and consulting.
“While individual months have swung between sharp rises and falls, the broader trend suggests a recruitment market in flux rather than in decline,” said Fowlston. “The statistics point to a cautious hiring environment with pockets of strategic activity, where employers are adjusting to economic unpredictability and external pressures rather than pausing recruitment outright.”
The Robert Walters Global Jobs Index is published monthly in partnership with Vacancysoft. It analyses job adverts posted on the websites of the largest organisations globally, offering a real-time view of professional hiring trends. The next edition is scheduled for release on 17 June 2025.
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